The Case Study Approach Road Map What are

The Case Study Approach

Road Map What are case studies? Why/how are they useful? Case study project requirements Where do we start?

What are Case Studies? An “investigation of real-life phenomenon through details contextual analysis of a limited number of events or conditions, and their relationships” (Burns 2017, 1) “The essence of a case study is that it tries to illuminate a decision or set of decisions: why they were taken, how they were implemented, and with what results” (SOPHIE 2015)

What are Case Studies? Two (or Three) Types Explanatory Seek to explain a phenomena: “… should consist of an accurate description of the facts of a case, considerations of alternative explanations, and a conclusion based on credible explanations that are congruent with the facts” (Mills et al. 2010) Descriptive A case is used to evaluate an existing descriptive theory, for the purpose of formulating cause-effect relationships

What are Case Studies? Two (or Three) Types Exploratory Investigates phenomena without a guiding theory or specific hypotheses to test. Used to generate theory. A preliminary step for exploring a new field.

How/Why are They Useful? Teaching Research Practice (practical application)

What Do Case Studies Contain? A story Events Characters Conflict “… illustrate broader, overarching principles or theses” (Burns 2017, 1)

Example Student Case Study

Example Student Case Study Use: Teaching Case Story: The connection between geology, hydrology, and the challenges of regulating fracking produced water Events: Geologic History of the Marcellus Shale Growth of fracking in Pennsylvania Movement of groundwater Series of efforts to regulate produced water disposal Characters: Radium Girls Pennsylvania state government

Case Study Project Teams (insert teams here, if you are choosing them for students)

Case Studies in the Environment http: //cse. ucpress. edu The Journal Started in 2017 Audience: students, researchers, educators, professionals, and policymakers Definition of a case study: “. . . involves close examination of an actual environmental problem or issue, commonly involving a decision, a challenge, or an opportunity faced by individuals, an organization, or a community or society at large”

Article Case Requirements Consult the Author Information carefully Use the Case Study Template provided 1, 500 – 3, 000 words, excluding abstract, footnotes, references, tables, figures, and supporting information Encouraged to include case slides (from presentation) Can include other supplementary information, as necessary

Article Case Requirements Case Structure Title Page Abstract (250 words or less) Main text: Introduction, Case Examination, Conclusion Case study questions (discussion) Acknowledgements, funding, competing interests Supporting information References (Vancouver)

Peer Review - Questions Does the title appropriately reflect the subject and framing of the case? Does the author present the case study clearly? Is the significance of the case clear? Does the manuscript adequately describe the wider context needed for drawing lessons from the case study? Are the arguments set forth in the manuscript well supported? Please comment on the manuscript’s potential utility for teaching environmental science, studies, and policy concepts or for professional environmental practice. Please comment on the clarity and usefulness of the Teaching Notes and/or Case Study Questions in providing teaching guidance.

Due Dates Topic Selection – ADD DATE Rough Peer Draft – ADD DATE Review – ADD DATE Presentation Final – ADD DATE Case Study – ADD DATE

My Role Grading Support in developing and executing the idea Editing and preparing manuscript for submission after grades are posted Corresponding author

How to Get Started Start with a major topic of interest to you Search for relatively recent (last five years) events related to that topic Some Pennsylvania ideas (REPLACE WITH YOUR OWN LIST): Mariner East 2 or Atlantic Sunrise Pipelines Fracking Closure of Three Mile Island Regional greenhouse gas initiatives PA Environmental Defense Foundation vs. Commonwealth of PA You do not need to restrict yourself to Pennsylvania

Grading Peer review graded individually Composite score for case study components Reflection on involvement in project Final grade adjusted based on your contribution to the project

Questions?